For the third installment, we feature two individuals who claim to be fans of "Chocolat de Familia." We interviewed Mr. Shimizu, the representative of "Tokyo Yajirushi," and Mr. Yamamoto, an employee, whose office is located in Nakameguro. Their encounter with the brand dates back to 2017, when it had just launched, at "UTILITY canvas" in Nakameguro, the only physical store at the time to carry this chocolate.

Mr. Shimizu: "J, the owner of UTILITY canvas, and I, having lived through the same era, hit it off instantly when we first met. We met in our 40s and have been like old friends ever since. One day, while helping out at the store, he suddenly told me, 'I'm going to start stocking chocolate' (laughs). I initially wondered about chocolate in a canvas store, but if it came from him, someone with a proven eye for 'good things,' I thought it sounded interesting."

― What did you think after tasting it?

Mr. Shimizu: "What's great is that it's casual and doesn't feel like a guilty pleasure, even if you eat it every day (laughs). In a good way, it doesn't feel extravagant. Ever since the 'Bark Chocolate' was released, I've been hooked. It's delicious. Many people who live in this neighborhood often drop by UTILITY, and it's nice that they can easily buy it then."

Mr. Yamamoto: "I've always had a sweet tooth for chocolate. I used to buy bulk packs at convenience stores and eat them all by myself every day. But ever since I discovered this chocolate, it's been my only choice. I fell in love with the white chocolate. Actually, I was the very first customer of 'Chocolat de Familia' (boasts!). Now, they make me what I call 'Yamamoto Special' with just six varieties: white, matcha, strawberry, yuzu, kinako, and hojicha (laughs)."

Mr. Shimizu: "Yamamoto-kun, you eat it like you breathe."

Mr. Yamamoto: "Sometimes I end up eating it all late at night without realizing it... I wonder if it's because I keep it on my desk so it's always within reach..."

Mr. Shimizu: "Right, you used to keep your chocolate in the fridge. When I learned about Chocolat de Familia, I was told that chocolate shouldn't be stored in the fridge because it makes it lose flavor. Since then, you've kept it on your desk, so it can't be helped (laughs)."

― Mr. Shimizu, when do you eat it?

Mr. Shimizu: "At night, after dinner during a break from work, I make coffee and then savor the bark chocolate I always keep nearby (laughs). It's pure bliss. I say 'delicious...' every time, so my colleagues ask, 'Again?' I used to keep it by the entrance, so I would grab one on my way out in the morning, pop it in my mouth, lock the door, and head to work. Sometimes I reach for it without looking, and then when I bite into it, I think, 'Oh, it's kinako again' (laughs). Originally, I wasn't a fan of white chocolate. But the white chocolate from 'Chocolat de Familia' is exceptionally good."

― What is the appeal of "Chocolat de Familia"?

Mr. Shimizu: "Even though my company changes, my heart is always in Nakameguro. This town is just right in many ways. There are both expensive and inexpensive chocolates, right? And towns have both upscale residential areas and ordinary ones. Saying 'I eat expensive chocolate, I live in an upscale residential area' sounds a bit pretentious, but 'I live in Nakameguro' is something I want to say. This town definitely has expensive things, but it feels easygoing somehow. The chocolate from 'Chocolat de Familia' is exactly like that. You want to say, 'I love Chocolat de Familia chocolate.' It's like Nakameguro."

Mr. Yamamoto: "As I mentioned earlier, this used to be a store that sold canvas items. But recently, a woman who casually dropped by fell in love with the chocolate and became a repeat customer, and in time, she became interested in other products and started visiting regularly. It's a connection forged by chocolate. This area is frequented by children on their way home from school, and there are many elderly people who have lived around here for a long time. From now on, I want to make this a shop where people of all generations can feel free to drop in. And 'Chocolat de Familia' is always a part of that circle. I think this chocolate can become that kind of presence."

Profile

The two individuals from "Tokyo Yajirushi" are involved in planning, editing, and design for advertising and promotions, as well as sales promotion, editing, and copywriting. Look forward to the highly popular free paper, 'Tokodoko Jirushi vol.7,' which aims to be published by the end of the year or early next year!